Forest Canopy Density Stratification: How Relevant is Biophysical Spectral Response Modelling Approach?

Monitoring of forest cover is an essential tool for sustainable management of natural resources. Woody green cover can better maintained and managed by identification of forest gaps and their subsequent refilling. Forest canopy density mapping is one of the tools used to identify such canopy openings and most useful parameter to consider in the planning and implementation of afforestation and reforestation program. The present study demonstrate the test-assessment and practicability of forest canopy density mapping using satellite remote sensing data and biophysical spectral response modelling. Forest canopy density stratification through object oriented image analysis and conventional method of visual interpretation also have been compared with the Forest Canopy Density (FCD) Mapper semi expert system. In this study, forest canopy density is effectively stratified through linear multi-parametric approach by utilizing advanced vegetation index, bare soil index, shadow index and thermal index. Isadata cluster analysis of forest canopy density map derived from FCD Mapper and conventional methods were shown similar results with respect to percent area of forest and non-forest. The high percentage (10-30%) occurrence of bushy vegetation like Lantana Camera in ground canopy poses challenge in delineation of forest canopy density as its spectral reflectance is similar to that of the forest. Geocarto International, Vol. 20, No. 1, March 2005 E-mail: [email protected] Published by Geocarto International Centre, G.P.O. Box 4122, Hong Kong. Website: http://www.geocarto.com 16 methodology where in biophysical spectral indices were developed to stratify forest density (Anon., 1993 and Rikimaru, 1996). In this study the methodology has been validated on an Indian test site.